Premenstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual Syndrome Definition (PMS definition):
Premenstrual syndrome (or simply PMS) refers to symptoms that occur between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation.
The symptoms comprise of Premenstrual Syndrome
- Physical symptoms like breast tenderness, back pain, abdominal cramps, headache, and changes in appetite and
- Psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression and unrest.
Reason of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS):
- The reason some women get severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) while others have none is not yet understood.
- As per latest news it is believed that Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), a recurrent cyclic disorder, mostly occurs seven to ten days before menstruation, and ceasing at the start of menstruation.
- Other theories say Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) may occur due to changes in the serotonin level in the brain.
- Deficiencies in vitamins, progesterone and minerals and sensitivity to Prolactin may also been a cause of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).
- Diets having high percentage of alcohol, salty foods and caffeine, are related with mood and energy instability and thus may cause Premenstrual Syndrome (cause PMS) is also believed.
- Another theory says that many signs and symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome (symptoms of PMS) may occur due to deficit of gamma Linolenic acid (or simply GLA).
Age associated with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS):
- Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms (PMS symptoms) usually begin at about age 15 to 20 years. But there are no hard and first rules for it.
- In a study on females of four age groups it was found that age of the participant has no relation with PMS.
- The disease may run genetically and is also more prone to occur in women with a history of psychological problems.
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Reason of Premenstrual Syndrome (Reason of PMS):
- At the first week of a woman's cycle, when her period starts, both estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels.
- Except a couple of days of cramping and bloating, most women actually report feeling good once their periods start, especially if they suffer from PMS.
- In the second week, estrogen and testosterone levels climb.
- At around day 12, estrogen peaks, and many women feel on top of their game.
- A rush of “Luteinizing hormone” promotes the release of an egg from an ovary around day 14. At this point, estrogen drops sharply, and progesterone rises.
- In a number of women, PMS symptoms start right after ovulation with the drop in estrogen.
- While in others the symptoms generally begin between three to seven days prior to menstruation.
- Women taking hormonal contraceptives in forms of pill or patch tend not to experience severe PMS symptoms since hormone levels remain more consistent throughout the active hormone phase of the cycle.
- But thanks to some new research and age-old wisdom, there are plenty of options to ease the discomfort and feel good all month long.
Medicines:
- For many years, doctors have studied many drugs to treat PMS, which includes , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs such as Aceclofenac, oral contraceptives and antidepressants like Paxil
- But the success in relieving signs and symptoms varies from woman to woman.
- Women having a dose of 200 mg of magnesium once daily noted suppress breast tenderness, fluid retention and bloating by 40%.
- Vitamin E is believed to reduce PMS symptoms by regulating the formation of prostaglandins that result in the reduction of breast tenderness and cramps. Dosage of Vit. E varies but most doctors suggest 400 IU once daily.
- Now a day’s natural drug are also available in the treatment of PMS (treatment of premenstrual syndrome).
These include:
- Borage oil: Borage oil servers as a supplement of GLA as if found to be effective in premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Scheduled dosage of it is two to four gms of borage oil OD of your cycle. Evening primrose and black currant can also be given as supplement of GLA.
- Black cohosh root: Black cohosh roothas phytoestrogens which wields important physiological effects concerning the menstrual cycle and menopause. The usual dosage of it is 20 mg and 40 mg per day, but patient should stop the use after six months for its adverse effects on hormonal equilibrium.
- Chaste berry fruit extract: This is one of the best-researched herbal drug for women. Chaste tree berries can reduce, anger, breast tenderness, irritability, headaches, and stress. The normal dosage of chaste berry extract is 175 to 225 mg in a day.
- Flax seed: Flax seed contains Lignans which shows estrogenic and anti-estrogenic property. Menstruating women who use about 10 g of crushed flax seed per day show considerable hormonal changes.
- Soy- contains isoflavones which regulate and stabilize the levels of estrogens.
